Celebrating the Visionaries: The Best of Startup Awards
2025.06.25 – TokePortal.com’s own content
In just a few years, TokePortal.com’s events have grown from bold local initiatives into defining milestones of the Central and Eastern European startup landscape. Each gathering added a new layer to the ecosystem — stronger connections, sharper thinking, and real momentum. The clear peak so far was CEEcosystem Summit #2 at the Müpa in January 2025, our most successful and immersive event to date, where regional ambition, deeptech, capital and community met under one glass roof.
And this impact is not only felt, but measured. Over the course of three years, a total of 32 awards across 15 categories were presented, shining a spotlight on startups, campaigns, mentors, investors and ecosystem builders who are actively shaping the future of the region.
What follows is not just a list of winners, but a story of how ideas, people and capital came together year after year to shape something much bigger than any single stage.
On 14 January, the glass hall of Müpa turned into the liveliest “control room” of Central European innovation: CEES #2, TokePortal.com’s biggest, most immersive event so far. Over 180 participants, 47 speakers and experts from 12 countries stayed almost until midnight – drawn in by sharp keynotes, fast-paced panels, speed mentoring, blind dating and the debut of our interactive Pitch&Go.
From MVM’s innovation strategy to debates on ecosystems vs economies, venture capital, tokenisation, fintech vs banks, education and global macro trends, the day circled around one main idea: strong ecosystems can overcome economic constraints when there is trust, cooperation and smart risk-taking.
Pitch&Go put nine startups on stage; SeasonPack won, securing around €33,000 in investment commitments. The day closed with the Best of Startups 2024 awards, celebrating: Colossyan (Startup of the Year), Scoutlabs (Deeptech Startup of the Year), STRT Holding Nyrt., (Investor of the Year), Efi Ben Artzy (Mentor of the Year) and TEA-Solar & MelonApp (Campaigns of the Year).
Lots of critical notes, even a few misunderstandings – all welcome. But the shining eyes, the 90+ new connections and the post-event buzz suggest one thing clearly: this ecosystem is very much alive.
On 18 December 2023, the Startup Santa Party & Best of 2023 Gala transformed into a festive yet powerful snapshot of Hungary’s startup ecosystem — where innovation, recognition and real community spirit came together under the flag of TokePortal.com.
The evening opened with an inspiring keynote by Tamás Kádár (SEON), followed by startup pitches and a fireside chat featuring leading voices from the ecosystem, including Péter Kovács, Balázs Horváth, Csongor Biás, Dr. Andrea Kozma and Tamás Tüske. Their reflections on the year’s trends and what lies ahead set the tone for a night that balanced foresight with celebration.
As the awards were announced, the true strength of the ecosystem became visible through its people and projects:
- Ecosystem Builder of the Year – STRT, Startup Hungary, HFA & Imre Hild
- Reward-Based Crowdfunding Campaign of the Year – Trumpify.me & Urilcard
- Equity Crowdfunding Campaign of the Year – I Love Póló & Brancs
- Mentors of the Year – Barbara Verő, György Vuray & Viktor Gerő
- Startups of the Year – AiMotive & SEON
- Investors of the Year – Jared Schriber, MBH Fintechlab & Péter Csillag
What followed was less about protocol and more about connection: conversations flowed over dinner and wine long past the official closing time, creating new links, new plans, and future collaborations.
More than just a Christmas celebration, the evening became a reminder: strong ecosystems are built on shared belief, consistent collaboration, and people who show up for each other — again and again.
On 12 January 2022, the A38 Ship in Budapest hosted a sold-out kick-off event that set the tone for the year ahead — a defining moment for the Hungarian startup ecosystem and an early milestone for TokePortal.com.
More than an awards ceremony, the evening brought together founders, mentors, investors and campaign creators at a time when crowdfunding and startup financing were just beginning to gain real momentum. Live pitches, campaign showcases and community energy filled the space, while familiar and emerging names stepped into the spotlight.
The winners of 2022 reflected both diversity and direction:
- Startup of the Year — Diverzum, Munch & SEON
- Crowdfunding Campaign of the Year — Fehér Nyúl & Birsbirtok
- Mentors of the Year — Zoltán Várdy, Imre Hild & Barbara Verő
- Investors of the Year — Péter Balogh & Szabolcs Szakacsits
Additional recognition went to Fishinda, supported for its international expansion, while live pitches from Cristo and other campaign runners highlighted the growing role of community-backed growth in Hungary.
What made the night truly significant wasn’t only the list of winners — it was the realization that a real, connected ecosystem was forming. One built on trust, visibility and the first tangible proof that crowdfunding + collaboration can lay down serious foundations.
Final Thoughts
Looking back from today, one thread runs through every one of these events: the steady strengthening of an ecosystem that believes in collaboration over isolation, and action over hesitation. From the early signals in 2022, through the tight-knit community energy of 2023, to the international scale and confidence of CEES #2 in 2024, the message is clear — this is no longer just a scene in the making, but a movement with direction. And if these years have proven anything, it is that the next chapter will be written by those bold enough to stay connected, stay curious, and keep building — together.
A huge thank you to all sponsors and organisers. Your support makes these events possible.
